How-To

-Ideas for Great Baby Rooms, Sunset

When it comes to the nighttime routine, not all families start with a crib. Most babies spend their first months sleeping in something smaller and cozier, such as a cradle or bassinet, that can be set up in the master bedroom for convenience during night feedings. And some parents take their baby into bed with them from the start and find the closeness both convenient and rewarding for them and comforting for the baby (if you're considering this arrangement, called "co-sleeping," discuss it with your pediatrician as there are risks associated with it). By the time a baby is rolling over, it's time to move to a crib.

Beds for newborns
While smaller beds aren't really necessary, many parents find they are easier to move from room to room during the first sleep-heavy months. Others buy or borrow a cradle or bassinet so they can put off the purchase of an expensive crib until they find out whether or not co-sleeping works for their family. Unlike cribs, these little beds are not regulated for safety features, so check them over carefully before you buy.

Cradles are like miniature cribs on rockers. They're usually made of wood, measuring about 18" ¥ 36", and are too heavy to move around easily. Because they're larger than most bassinets, they can be used longer -- until just before a child begins to sit up, at about five months (which is why you'll want a substantial mattress -- at least 2 inches thick). They are also the most expensive of the four types of newborn beds, ranging in price from $120 to $350, including bedding. Many families have an heirloom cradle that has been passed from generation to generation; sometimes parents buy a new one, intending to start a tradition.

A bassinet is a stiff, woven basket that sits on a stand. (Ideally, you can lift it out of the stand to carry it downstairs.) Most come with a hood, which is handy for shading the baby from light during outdoor or daytime rests. Bassinets are lighter and slightly smaller than cradles, and can be less expensive; prices range from $40 to $550. Make sure the stand is sturdy and locks securely into position to prevent folding while in use. If the stand has casters, you can push the unit back and forth to lull the baby to sleep; check that the wheels are substantial and roll and swivel smoothly. As with cribs and cradles, the mattress should be firm and fit snugly in the basket. A shelf in the lower part of the stand is handy for storing extra blankets.

A Moses basket is the least expensive of the newborn beds ($40 to $250), but by no means the least desirable. It's woven of corn husks and has relatively soft sides; it can even be packed into a large suitcase for travel to Grandma's house. While not likely to last generations, a decent-quality Moses basket will last for the first few months for several babies.

Sidecar sleepers are a response to the growing number of families who want to keep their baby close to them at night. These devices look like playpens (and, indeed, many of them convert to playpens), but with only three walls and a mattress elevated to the same height as the parents' bed. The unit attaches to the bed securely so the baby won't fall through the cracks (literally) but can rest within handy distance to the nursing mom. Models range in price from $150 to $300. Some parents achieve the sidecar effect by removing the drop side of a crib and wedging the crib between their bed and a wall.